Watch '8' The Play Based on the Proposition 8 Trial (VIDEO)

On Saturday stars including Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Bacon and many others assembled in a Los Angeles theater to perform Dustin Lance Black’s “8″, a play based on real transcripts from the Proposition 8 gay marriage trial, interviews with the plaintiffs, and eye witness testimony. The performance was streamed live across the world via YouTube, but if you missed it you can find the complete performance ready to watch at your convenience below:

With regards to the performance, AFER Board President Chad Griffin said:

“This play will continue to show Americans — one by one — that truth and justice can prevail over prejudice and fear. Try as they might, the anti-marriage proponents of Proposition 8 cannot hide their discriminatory arguments from the American people. The fight to secure marriage equality is at the heart of our generation’s search for greater freedom–this play shows why.”

Saturday’s performance marked the West Coast premiere of the play.

“8″ had its much-heralded Broadway world premiere reading on September 19, 2011, at the sold-out Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York City.

Throughout 2012, AFER and Broadway Impact are licensing “8″ for free to colleges and community theaters nationwide in the hopes of encouraging dialogue, understanding and action.

To find out more about “8″, head over to the AFER website here.

And if you do watch the play, or have already seen it, remember to let us know what you thought of the play in the comments below!

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Image taken from video under fair use, no infringement intended.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Debbie C.

6:19AM PDT on May 7, 2012

Oh my gosh - this play was so impressive!! When 2 people love each other, they should have the right to marry!!!

May 7
send a green star

Jane L.

3:52PM PDT on Mar 18, 2012

i loved watching this, especially the kids - how they portrayed a very realistic representation of what gay families are like: just like every other family - as well as the final proclamation by Martin Sheen's character because it's the truth! Beautiful play!

March 18
send a green star

Ann G.

7:05PM PST on Mar 7, 2012

This is an incredible, moving, and amazingly brave video. I almost cried... especially loved the kids. Great performances overall and amazingly good in general.

March 7
send a green star

Norma V.

4:07AM PST on Mar 7, 2012

Impressive cast....saw this when it was being streamed. No wonder there were people who did not want the trial to be aired.

Chad A.

8:01PM PST on Mar 6, 2012

I wish I could be there in person to watch!

March 6
send a green star

pam w.

7:47PM PST on Mar 6, 2012

There are many powerful moments in this....but, I think the MOST powerful is when Mr. Cooper is asked REPEATEDLY to state why same-sex marriage is harmful to anyone. The judge directs this question and Mr. Cooper sputters...

and sputters....

and finally says....."I can't."

Because there IS no harm to anyone!

Ellen M.

7:18PM PST on Mar 6, 2012

I Thank everyone involved in this project, and i was so moved by it i shared it with everyone i could think of.
I really hope schools take advantage of the cost :-) and students get a chance to see it...

And lastly i'm sooo thankful that while i caught this thread rather late, i got here before all the busy little trolls were through with the other ones! 1love

Ron S.

11:00AM PST on Mar 6, 2012

Christopher F. - You are correct, not all religions. I did not mean this to be an in depth dissertation on religion. In fact I believe very much in a “God” An architect, a prime mover. You do not need to know anything more than something, (the elements) did not come from nothing without he help of someone = GOD. We will never know, I do not think, what “GOD” is, but it just burns my but to no end to listen to all the bull**** from the ones we think they have the answer.

Christopher F.

10:39AM PST on Mar 6, 2012

Ron S. While there are some very good points that you make regarding religion, they should not be blanket statements of ALL religions, but more directly applied to orthodoxic religions. Remember that under empires/kingdoms where the pagan religions were predominant, science grew and prospered. It was not until orthodoxy came into power, that we became a society of sheep to be herded to the slaughter and all reason and knowledge was lost.

As much as I respect your right to choose to not follow any religion, it is as disingenuous of you to condemn all religions when many of them are actually supportive of the scientific process and supportive of truth and reason.
And, in case you haven't figured it out, I am a Pagan (Gardnerian Wiccan) initiate. And my path does support reason and, through practice, the scientific process.

10:27AM PST on Mar 6, 2012

I watched it live, when it was being streamed and I can see, more clearly than I did before, why the people supporting prop 8 didn't want the trial to be aired for the public to see. It would have ruined their support for their case.